The Supreme Court will hear a plea challenging Odisha DGP Appointment Norms on August 12, 2026. The petition alleges that the Odisha government tried to bypass the rules for appointing the Director General of Police (DGP).
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant agreed to hear the Public Interest Litigation. Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana also sit on the Bench.
Senior Advocate P. Chidambaram mentioned the matter before the Court. He alleged that Odisha changed and withdrew panels sent to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Odisha Allegedly Changed DGP Selection Panel
Chidambaram told the Court that Odisha first sent a panel of eligible officers to the UPSC in April. The State later withdrew that panel.
In May, Odisha sent another list. The revised panel included three DGPs and eight Additional Directors General of Police (ADGPs).
The petitioner alleged that the State wanted to promote an ADGP to the DGP rank. According to the plea, this move would allow the officer to enter a new UPSC selection panel.
The allegations raised concerns about compliance with the Supreme Court’s DGP appointment framework.
Supreme Court Raises Eligibility Concerns
The case involves the UPSC meeting held on August 7. The Commission planned to shortlist three candidates from a list of 11 senior IPS officers.
The selection process comes before the retirement of Odisha DGP Y.B. Khurania. He will retire on August 31.
Chidambaram said the UPSC refused to consider officers below the required rank. The Commission stated that it would consider only DGP-level officers.
He further alleged that Odisha withdrew its list around the time of the meeting. The State then reportedly began preparing another list.
Chief Justice Surya Kant responded to the allegations. He observed that the UPSC knows which officers meet the eligibility requirements.
The CJI also said that the UPSC must follow the Supreme Court’s directions if a State submits an ineligible panel.
Prakash Singh Judgment Sets DGP Rules
The Supreme Court’s DGP appointment framework comes from Prakash Singh v. Union of India. The judgment established safeguards for the selection of State police chiefs.
Under these rules, States must send a list of eligible senior IPS officers to the UPSC. The Commission then prepares a panel of three candidates.
The UPSC considers seniority, merit and service experience while preparing the panel. The State must then choose its DGP from those three candidates.
The framework also requires the DGP post to go to an officer holding the required rank. States cannot simply include lower-ranked officers because the eligible pool is limited.
Supreme Court Reaffirmed Eligibility Rules
The Supreme Court revisited these requirements in orders issued in February 2026. The Court reaffirmed that States must follow the prescribed eligibility conditions.
The Court also stressed the UPSC’s role in preparing the final panel. The Commission must complete its recommendations within the prescribed timelines.
Therefore, the current Odisha dispute raises questions about compliance with these established safeguards.
The Odisha DGP Appointment Norms require the State to follow the Supreme Court’s prescribed selection process. The upcoming hearing will examine the allegations and the State’s actions.
The Supreme Court will hear the matter on August 12, 2026.
